About this project

$55,305

pledged of $50,000 goal

601

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When Greg Louganis hit his head on the diving board at the 1988 Seoul Games, it was an unforgettable moment of the Olympics. But when, despite his injury, he earned the highest single score for his next dive and went on to win the Gold medal, it was among the most incredible feats in sports history.

Olympic Champion Greg Louganis is considered by many to be the greatest diver of all time. We are making a feature-length independent documentary about Louganis to highlight his heroic personal story. We're here on Kickstarter because we need your help to finish shooting our film! Our goal is to get our film finished and released by 2013 -- the 25th anniversary of Greg's incredible performance in the 1988 Olympic Games.

We will be shooting with Greg in London in August during the Olympic Games and for a few more months this fall. We need to raise $50,000 to finish shooting. We ultimately need to raise over $300,000 to finish the film, but raising $50,000 now will allow us to keep going towards the finish line! You can be a part of this exciting project by pledging whatever you can afford.

BACK ON BOARD GREG LOUGANIS is an engrossing story about an American legend on the cusp of a comeback. This film reveals Louganis’ evolution from childhood diving prodigy to Olympic champion, and from pioneering openly gay athlete with HIV to a sometimes forgotten sports icon. His recent return to diving as a mentor to US Olympic divers competing at the 2012 London Games provides an exciting new chapter to his life-story.

Our film is an independently-produced project. We don’t have the backing of a production company, a TV channel, or a big film studio. We're counting on donations from people like YOU who are willing to help us bring this important story to the screen.

WHY ARE WE MAKING THIS FILM

Greg Louganis’ story is so inspiring and his life so extraordinary -- we really wanted to watch a documentary about him to learn more. But that film didn't exist. We are in the process of changing that with BACK ON BOARD GREG LOUGANIS.

Greg's story is connected to so many important moments in American history including the Olympics, the AIDS epidemic, the gay rights movement, and even the recent housing crisis. His return to diving, after a long absence, gave us a natural way to tell his unique story and explore his enduring legacy. What is really great about Kickstarter is that we can share the experience of the making the film that tells this important story with others.

OUR GOAL FOR THE FILM

This is a film with a message of hope and against-the-odds courage. It is a story that will inspire all those who see it. In order to make this film a reality, we are looking to involve many of Greg’s fans, documentary film aficionados, divers, athletes, and members of the LGBT community.

We are confident that Louganis’ legacy will become even more powerful as this film travels throughout the world affecting the lives of the next generation. Louganis’ life has touched, and been touched, by so many of today’s important social issues; LGBT issues; HIV/AIDS; bullying; the housing crisis; dyslexia; adoption; depression; and domestic violence, to name a few. As filmmakers, we are committed to using this film to do educational outreach in connection with the distribution of the film.

WHAT WILL THESE FUNDS BE USED FOR?

The funds will go directly toward the making of BACK ON BOARD GREG LOUGANIS. Expenses include:

air travel for crew and production team to shoot with Greg at events in late summer and early fall of 2012

camera equipment rental

sound package rental

hiring a camera person

hiring a location sound recordist

transferring rare archival clips of Greg from his personal home video library

Help us get press about this movie and our Kickstarter campaign! Share this news w bloggers, journalists, etc!

WHEN WILL THE FILM BE FINISHED? WHERE CAN I SEE THE FILM?

We are currently still in production on the film. Our goal is to submit to film festivals and secure a wide release in 2013 - the 25th anniversary of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. We will explore all distribution options including theatrical and broadcast. We plan on taking the film to film festivals around the country and beyond. If all of our filmmaker dreams came true we'd also have a theatrical release and a national TV broadcast! Eventually we will release the film on DVD and digitally (e.g. iTunes, Netflix, etc.).

IS MY DONATION TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

Donations made via KICKSTARTER are NOT tax-deductible. To make a tax-deductible donation to support the making of BACK ON BOARD you may donate through our 501(c)(3) non-profit fiscal sponsor the CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY (CID). All donations made to CID on behalf of BACK ON BOARD are tax-deductible. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation BY CREDIT CARD. Click here to make a tax-deductible donationBY CHECK.

I WANT TO DONATE MORE THAN $10,000! I WANT TO BE THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER! I WANT TO BROADCAST AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THIS MOVIE! I HAVE SOME GREAT OLD FOOTAGE OR PHOTOS OF GREG THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO USE IN YOUR FILM! I WANT TO CONTACT THE FILMMAKERS!

GREAT IDEA! We want to hear more! Please get in touch with Will Sweeney at will@louganisdoc.com or Cheryl Furjanic at cheryl@louganisdoc.com and and let's get to talking!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

ALL REWARDS FROM THE LEVEL ABOVE PLUS: Access to a total of 25 minutes of bonus footage that you won't see anywhere else! PLUS a unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

ALL REWARDS FROM THE LEVEL ABOVE PLUS: Special limited-edition Back on Board DVD (when it's complete) for Kickstarter backers only! Limited-edition movie poster. A personal thank you letter from the film's director.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

ALL OF THE REWARDS FROM THE LEVEL ABOVE PLUS: A copy of Greg Louganis' autobiography "Breaking the Surface." A total of 2 copies of our special limited-edition DVD (when it's complete) for Kickstarter backers only!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

A VISIT TO OUR NYC PRODUCTION office to meet with the director and producer! We'll show you some footage from the movie-in-progress and talk to you about making the movie! PLEASE NOTE: Travel expenses not included. PLUS an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Your name in the film's credits. AUTOGRAPHED movie poster, DVD & digital download (when it's complete), 40 minutes of bonus footage, and unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

"HANGOUT" WITH THE FILMMAKING TEAM via Google Plus! Get your burning questions answered about how this film is getting made! PLUS an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Your name in the film's credits. AUTOGRAPHED movie poster, DVD & digital download (when it's complete), 40 minutes of bonus footage, and unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

SNEAK PREVIEW SCREENING at your home with the director or producer (CONTINENTAL USA ONLY)! We'll bring the film to your house and screen it for you and your friends before it's released! PLUS an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Your name in the film's credits. AUTOGRAPHED movie poster, DVD & digital download (when it's complete), 40 minutes of bonus footage, and unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $8,500 or more
About $8,500

ATTEND A PARTY WITH GREG LOUGANIS IN NYC. We'll throw a small party in NYC and 5 lucky Kickstarter backers will get to attend and meet Greg and the filmmakers! PLUS an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Your name in the film's credits. AUTOGRAPHED movie poster, DVD & digital download (when it's complete), 40 minutes of bonus footage, and unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $8,500 or more
About $8,500

ATTEND A PARTY WITH GREG LOUGANIS IN LOS ANGELES. We'll throw a small party in Los Angles and 5 lucky Kickstarter backers will get to attend and meet Greg and the filmmakers! PLUS an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Your name in the film's credits. AUTOGRAPHED movie poster, DVD & digital download (when it's complete), 40 minutes of bonus footage, and unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

DINNER WITH GREG LOUGANIS: Dinner for you and a friend with Greg Louganis and the filmmakers (NY or LA only). Your name on the credits of the film. AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Framed, autographed limited edition movie poster. PLUS an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Greg's autobiography. Your name in the film's credits. DVD & digital download (when it's complete), 40 minutes of bonus footage, and unique digital still frame from the film - emailed directly to you (each one is one-of-a-kind)!